Gothic

The Gothic period was between 1140-1500. The center of the Gothic world was Paris and churches were the center of the city life.  The Gothic period was birthed from the Romanesque period. However, the Gothic introduced pointed arches, ribbed vault, and fly buttresses. In the cathedrals they wanted a weightless appearance. Also, they included tall walls with several stained glass windows.
Below is a great youtube video to better help you understand the differences between Gothic and Romanesque architecture.

One gothic cathedral is the Notre Dame at Chartes. It was built from 1145-1220 and I think one of the most beautiful cathedrals. Below shoes an interior of the cathedral and up close of a stained glass window which is called a Rose window. 

Another gothic cathedral is located in Siena, Italy and I was lucky enough to visit it. It was built in 1245-1380. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower. The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with red marble on the facade. Black and white are the symbolic colors of Siena which is linked to black and white horses of the city's founders, Senius and Aschius. 

Interior showing the marble stripes

Interior

Exterior

Current Applications:

Tracery

Rib Vault

Discussion: 

I reviewed Justine's blog and her three pictures of the pointed arch, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses were very clear and helped me understand and identify them better. Also, I liked how she put the picture of the Notre Dame in Chartres and the Notre Dame in Paris next to each other so I could see the similarities and differences between them. The other blog I reviewed was Melanie's. The beautiful cloisters on the English Gothic cathedral, Salisbury, caught my eye. Also, I learned that there is a octagonal chapter house that houses one of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta.